International delegations attended the Brussels municipal elections

Estonians, South Koreans, Ukrainians, Canadians and Tunisians (a team of altogether 42 observers) formed a varied and attentive panel, who came to study the Brussels voting methods. Electronic voting, the new equipment, the new software, the administrative processes and the posting methods were just a few of the themes that they asked questions about during their stay in our region.

On Friday 12 October, our colleagues of Brussels Local Authorities – who have organised all elections since 2006 – gave a presentation about federalised Belgium, voting legislation and the methodology of the voting process. In the afternoon, they showed them how the electronic voting machines work, giving to the members of the delegations the opportunity to test them (with a “blank” vote of course!).

On Sunday 14 October, the delegations conducted field visits in Jette (for the opening of the polling stations), in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (while people voted) and in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (for the closing of the polling stations).

The delegation members then observed the reception process, by the President of the Principal Bureau, of the envelopes and the bags containing the votes that were cast and which the presidents of the various polling stations brought in.

The delegations were satisfied about being able to witness how such a complex process is organised. They all declared their interest and their trust in the technology that is used. They also expressed their desire to return in the future.

This visit, which was organised with the assistance of Brussels Local Authorities and Brussels International, has also contributed to the development of the perception of the Brussels-Capital Region as an innovative region.